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Wednesday, 31 December 2008

Another Year of Baking

Somehow the clock seems to tick at a faster pace in the cyberworld than real life. It has already been two years since I started this blog. In fact, I'm two days behind my 2nd Blog Anniversary ;')

Looking through the photos of my homemade bread, cakes, cookies and tarts, I realised that I have made lots of stuff over the past 12 months. Without this blog, I would never ever be able to document the joy and pleasure that I have experienced over the year.

I have never known that home baking can bring so much nice feelings throughout the entire process. I treasure the peaceful and serene moments when I go about the preparation...be it whisking a bowl of egg whites...or working hard on a lump of wet and sticky dough. I enjoy each 'aroma therapy' session when the cake is baking in the oven while I went about doing my other daunting chores. What a bliss to be wrapped around with the sweet scent emitting from the oven...be it coming from the chocolate, banana, vanilla or lavender...but of course, there's always the occasional burning smell which would send me dashing into the kitchen ;'p

It brings me immense satisfaction whenever the cake came out nice and fluffy...or that loaf of bread turn out a perfect square when I slide open the lid of the pullman tin. Not forgetting the excitement when I unmold a chiffon cake; and the overwhelming stress of having to swipe the palette knife over and over and over again to make the frosting appear as smooth as possible on a birthday cake. I guess the most rewarding part of the whole process is the great pleasure it brings when I see my loved ones wolfing down my 'labour of love'.

Even failures or kitchen disasters of any kind, have taught me several good lessons...although I have to confess, it takes more than a day for me to get over the great sense of disappointment from any failed attempts.

To mark the occasion, I have compiled my baking repertoire into a little slide show. I find this the best way to condense a selection of some of the better cakes & bakes that I have done over the past year...into a one minute video clip.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has dropped by this blog, especially to all those who have taken the time to leave behind their encouraging words and lovely comments. I also appreciate readers who have asked me questions...I try my best knowledge to answer them...and it is through the process of finding out the right answers, it has widen my knowledge and insights into the world of baking. Since it is the season of giving, I have decided to send a little gift to a fellow blogger pal. It is a small way to show my appreciation, and I hope I will be able to do the same thing next year.

Happy New Year and wonderful 2009!Thanks for ALL the help, advice and comments you've given me whenever i leave comment on your blog. =) really v v happy and honoured that you take much effort and time into answering every single comment in so much detail =) keep it up and looking forward to more yummilicious bakes from you this coming year =D

Wanna thank you as well as you sorta inspired me to turn my microsoft baking diary into a virtual one (blog). Like you and many out there, it's really a pleasure whenever any of our bakes turns out pretty =)

just want to let you know that I've learnt so much from your blog. Your bakes had been so inspiring and your easy to follow step-by-step instructions had helped me from a "know-nothing about baking" into one who is now able to bake a rather presentable cake.

TQ so much. Would like to share with you my bakes if I have enough courage to showcase them one day.

I really enjoy reading your blogs. Lovely photographs and irresistible bakes! When my fingers itch and am not sure what to bake, I will drop by your blog to get some inspiration =) Love your buns and breads! Otah bun reminds me of home ... how I miss food from Singapore ....

I found this blog because I Googled 'baci di Dama' and it linked to your '07 post. I just started a baking blog of my own (cakeriot.wordpress.com) because I love to bake, and I will definitely come back so I can get inspiration from you! :) I loved the Domo cake! (my own son is going to want that, too, I'm sure)

Happy New Year! Congratulations on your 2nd year...What an accomplishment. I always enjoy reading your blogs and visit it frequently. You inspire me when I see the beautiful photos on your site. I notice you changed your template, nice! I just started blogging in December '09 and hopefully I can have the same determination as you do. I was wondering if you took some baking and pastry classes coz all your works look very professional. Or is it just a passion and turned to hobby? Whatever it is, great job! I'm a fan :)

Hi Mehl, thanks for reading my blog :) So far I have not attended a single workshop or baking class, not even demo classes. Everything is self-taught mainly thru cookbooks. I am no professional baker, that is why I am always worried that I am the blind leading the blind!!